The decorative view of Hampi mountain pine was developed in Switzerland. Its popularity is not the same as that of other coniferous crops, however, some gardeners still prefer the variety in question. Compact and vibrant bushes can create a pleasant atmosphere in the garden. The article will consider the features of appearance, landing rules and recommendations for care.

Botanical Description

Hampi shrub has a pillow-shaped and miniature crown. The maximum height of the plant is 60 cm. At the age of 10 years, the pine begins to grow in width, as a result of which the crown can reach 1.2 m.

Did you know? In Latin, the name of the pine "pinus" is translated as "rock". This is justified by the fact that plants are able to cling to the rocks and grow there.

The description of the Hampi pine bush is as follows:

• growth rate - slowly growing, up to 4 cm per year;
• the needles are short, up to 5 cm. The hue changes depending on the season. In summer, it is dark green, and in winter it is brownish-green;
• cones are absent, because anthers belong to male inflorescences;
• decorative shoots, red-brown hue;
• shoots of light green color, densely located adjacent to the ground;
• the roots are not deep, highly branched;
• life expectancy - from 200 to 300 years;
• bark can be of different shades - from gray-brown to dark gray.

Humpy's winter hardiness is high. Shrubs withstand not only winter frosts up to -34 ° C, but also spring cooling, which often returns in late March or early April. Plants are able to adapt to any climatic conditions. Therefore, planting is carried out in all regions of the country.

Landing

Pinus mugo Humpy prefers to grow in sunny areas. Despite this, the shrub is able to withstand partial shade. In this case, the saturation of the crown and the height of the plant may suffer. Shrub pine undemanding to the soil. Therefore, it is possible to land in clay lands with a high acid content or in rocky soils. Hampi variety belongs to those conifers that are able to withstand industrial emissions in large cities without losing their characteristics.

Important! You need to buy seedlings in nurseries, where plants are stored in appropriate conditions. This will save you from buying planting material that has lost varietal characteristics.

WITHHumpy does not tolerate stagnant waterlogging. Therefore, during preparation for planting, you need to use drainage, and add a little sand to a dense nutrient soil. When choosing seedlings, you should carefully examine them for damage and signs of illness. If cracks, spots or plaque are visible, then it is better to refuse such a purchase. Affected by disease or frost, planting materials die within 2-3 years after planting.

To prepare the seat begin in the fall. After digging or plowing the site, you need to remove all weeds and distribute 20 kg of humus to 1 m². This will saturate the soil with nutrients and improve the development of shrubs. After 2 weeks, start the preparation of holes. Their depth should be 60 cm, and width - 70 cm. Plants are planted from August to September.

Step-by-step landing procedure:

1. A 15-cm layer of drainage (expanded clay or crushed stone) is poured at the bottom.
2. On top pour 20 cm of nutrient soil.
3. A seedling is placed inside and its roots are distributed over the entire area of ​​the pit. The root neck is left above the ground, i.e. it is a conductor of nutrients and oxygen to the root system.
4. Sprinkle with soil and tamp to avoid voids.
5. Pour 30 liters of water.
6. The trunk circle is mulched with straw, humus or peat.

Pine care

Hampi mountain pine plants do not require special care. It is enough to carry out standard procedures to maintain the health status of the shrub. Watering, pruning and top dressing are necessary processes in care. You will also need to loosen the soil and protect the young plant before the onset of winter.

Watering and feeding

When determining irrigation norms, the climatic features of the region are taken into account. If you live in a place where there is little rainfall during the year, and the summers are very dry, then you need to irrigate the Hampi pine once a week. In wet regions, plants are watered once a month. At least 30 liters of water are poured under each bush.

Video: planting and caring for mountain pine

Adult bushes, from 2 years after planting, watered 3 times for the entire season. At the same time, 50 l of water are used for each shrub. Pine crown needs sprinkling. Every week, always in the evening, it is necessary to spray the green mass from the spray gun. This will give the needles a more saturated color and wash away all pests.

Important! Before each watering and fertilizing loosen the top layer of the earth. Due to this, air and nutrients will penetrate into the roots.

Top dressing is applied several times during the season:

• in the spring they use compost (200 g per 1 m²);
• in the summer they feed plants with nitroammophos (300 g per 1 m²);
• in the fall apply superphosphate (100 g per 1 m²).

Loosening and mulching

The first 5 years after planting, Hampi pine needs quality care. Not only plant health, but also life expectancy depends on this. Every week the topsoil is loosened. Garden tools should be deepened by 5–7 cm so as not to damage the root system, which is close to the surface of the earth. Weeds are also removed to prevent the development of diseases and parasites.

Mulching the soil is carried out after each watering. This will keep the optimum moisture level in the soil and save heat (in case of a sharp cooling). As mulch, straw, peat, pine bark or sawdust are used. The height of the protective layer should be 20 cm.

Pruning

Forming trimming is required if:

• the crown was one-sided;
• individual shoots are knocked out from the shape of a bush.

The procedure of crown formation is carried out using a sharp secateurs. It is enough to remove those shoots that are selected from the circuit. An annual sanitary pruning will also be required. In the spring, before the formation of buds, dry and damaged branches are removed.

Possible diseases and pests

Regularly inspect Hampi shrubs for stains and damage that may be located on the bark or needles. Such signals are considered the first signs of disease and pests. The most common diseases that affect the variety in question are common shute and rust. The first disease, which manifests itself in the form of brown spots on the needles, is developing rapidly.

Within a week, the pine needles turn yellow and fall. Treatment consists of spraying with a solution of colloidal sulfur (1 tbsp. L. Per 10 liters of water). The entire volume is distributed over 3 plants. Symptoms of rust appear as orange spots and swelling on the surface of the shoots. To get rid of the disease, carry out spraying with a solution of Bordeaux fluid (10 g per 10 liters of water).

The main pests of mountain pine Hampi:

• hermes. Against the parasite use a solution of "Fufanon" (30 g per 10 liters of water);
• bark beetle. An effective remedy in the fight against it is Oksikh (20 g per 10 liters of water);
• sawfly. Pest control is carried out by Phosphamide (50 g per 10 liters of water).

All sprayings are carried out with an interval of 20 days. Literally in 40-60 days there will be no signs of diseases and pests.

The use of shrubs in landscaping

Hampi pine was especially popular due to its use in landscape design. A compact plant is planted along alleys, fences or buildings. Bushes grow slowly, so the gardener can always cut them and give them the necessary shape. This variety is well combined with juniper, spruce or cypress. Hampi is also planted to create a fence for flower beds where colorful flowers grow (tulips, lilacs or lilies).

Did you know? The highest conifer is considered the Lambert pine, growing in North America. Plant height about 70 m.

So, now you know that it is easy to grow a Hampi mountain pine at home. It is only necessary to adhere to all the rules for planting, as well as carefully monitor the condition of the bushes and regularly care for them. After 10 years, the plants will complete their development and will decorate your garden.